The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-08-04
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
Practical Duties Taught by n Study or the Iatsr-
national sunday-scho0l Lesson AppoiRted for
Aug IL 81 Mail 5.I-fG

SuBJECT: BEATITUDEs PREDATORY TO THE
SERMON ON THE MOUNT.
We left Jesus at the Sea of Galilee, In yicin-
ity Of Capernaum, where he then called four
Apostles-Peter, Andrew, James and John. We
pass along four or FIVE months to reach the
present lesson. Meanwhile Christ continued
most Of the time about Capernaum, and ali OF
the time in Galilee. During the interim he per-
formed series of miracles. He also during
this time completed the full number Of the ~
Apostles. The call OF Matthew is reported in
full.
We now study the first verses Of what is
known as the Sermon on the Mount 1t was
delivered in the month Of May, in the year q
A. ID. This was the sd year OF Christ's life
and the second Of his ministry. It was 1850
years ago.
The place where the sermon was uttered was
mountain. (V. ~ Tradition points to what
is known a. the Mount Of the Beatitudes. This
is between Mt Tabor and Tiborias Sometimes
it is spoken Of as the Horns Of Hattin. It is a
depression between two SUBMITS (horns). It
is only about so TO GO feet above the common
level. Its distance from CapeTnaum is not far
from seven miles. The ridge was the pulpit
and the slopes the audience-room.
The speaker was Jesus. (See Ply He was
Teacher. Hence the word taught" CV. 81
Therefore, those who heard were disciples (Y.
~ or learners.
The hearers were specially Christ's disciples
This word does not necessarily include only
the -, nor indeed the followers of Jesus alone,
but also any persons present who wanted to
hear Of Christ and from Christ. He spoke in
particular to the disciples, while the multi
tudes easily overheard. The attitude Of
Jesus was that of sitting. The custom Of a
Jewish doctor was to occupy a seat, while his
congregation stood. 1t is said he opened his
mouth" Cps, 1872; Eph., 6:I9.) The ex-
preston points to his weighty manner. St.
Matt, z: 20 explains He taught them as one
having authority.
The subject Of the particular paragraph
which IS our lesson is Happiness. The word
rendered throughout in our Received Version
blessed" would be translated more accurately
happy" And yet happiness relates to US, while
the blessings are from God. If we possess the
virtues delineated In verses to IL, we
shall be happy and God shall bless Us. At
times these nine blessings are called beatitudes
and hence the name given to the mountain on
which the sermon was delivered.
" Blessed are the poor in spirit" This NAV
refer to humbleness Of disposition, Spiritual
poverty. st. Luke's account rs 20J has poor"
without any qualifying Of the sense. Some be-
lieve the meaning to be, Blessed are poor peo-
pie. persons without financial resources The
papistic idea is that voluntary poverty by way
of penance is meant. As the poor want physi-
cal supplies, so they who are humble in mind
long for spiritual resources. (Ps., 34:1S.} One
can be poor in spirit and yet be wealthy. At
the same time riches may prove harmful; but
so, too, may poverty. We do not think the
Savior teaches that it is good 70 be melancholy,
sad, sactimonious. The words oppose haughti-
ness, pride, leyity. First Of all one must feel
need in order TO go to Christ. This may be the
reason why the poor in spirit are mentioned
first. This class Of persons belong 10 the
Kingdom Christ established on earth prepare
tory to Heaven.
BLESSED are they that mourn" There NAV
be two classes Of such mOurners. /. Those who
mourn acknowledgements the loss Of friends
by death; or Of property, etc. 2. Those who
Dourn over their sins. No reference is made
to the sorrow Of the world which worketh
death" q Cor, z: 10) Spiritual poverty, re-
ferred to in the first blessing, (Y. 81 is natur-
ally succeeded by repentant tears (mOurning).
Such mourners shall have comfort. If they
mourn in Zion they shall have beauty for
ashes and "the oil ofjoy." Us, 81: 3; St Lu.,
4: IL; st. Mt, IL: 80; st. John, 1896, 81 /;
Ps., 1865; Rev, 81 ~ Sorrow after a godiy
sort " is well. q Cor, 7:11.) The garment OF
praise shall replace the spirit Of heaviness Is,
6I:3) Pardon is comfort Jesus is the ConSo-
lation Of Israel. Est. Lu.. 2:25.l Solomon was
right IN commanding sorrow which makes the
heart better. (Ecc., z: 3, ~
Blessed are the meek" When the proud
spirit is subdued, when one has mourned over
sin and received comfort, then follows meek
ness. There - now submission, willingness to
obey. The person treats God gently and men
kindly. Jesus himself was meek and lowIy In
heart. (St. Mt, II %; 21:5.l st. Paul noticed
this fact q Cor, 10: ~ Sc. Peter declared
meekness Is ''of great price" (St Pet, 3 A. of
First Epistie) It would be thought the dOui-
neering, tyrlnnieal would gain the world. but
we must take things in the long run Noise
and hustle seem to prevail Wait, and you will
see that silence, gentleness, quiesness are
dynamic forces. Haughtiness Is not so effect
i've as courtesy among the elements OF success
Weakness is not spiritlessness. 1t is not apathy.
1t Is the manipulation Of passion, the opposite
or malice and vengeance 1t does not preclude
the standing up for ones rights. "Be We angry.
indignant, and sin not" (Eph., 4 26.) Jesus
demanded explanation when insulted (St.
John, 1929 The saying "Inordnate de-
mands should De met by bold denials," is an
accepted and proper principle. It is scriptural.
ST. Paul would not tolerate abuse. (Acts, 16: 81
The meek shall inherit the earth. (Ps., 37:1I;
rs: 49, Considering the meek as the Christ
ian, and we see Christ is gaining every day in
his possession Of earth. Christians must ulti-
mately own the earth. There are great tenn
poral blessings attendant on meekness. The
whole world is the Promised Land (Canaan) Of
the Christian Church. Ordinarily q piOus
economical man may own his modest home.
flety mas promise OF the life that now is as
well as Of eternal life.
Blessed are they which do hunger and
thirst after righteousness" Blessed are they
who have a similar measure Of anxiety for
spiritual qualification that hungry man has
for food or thirsty person for water First
We have spiritual want. Then come SORROW
and the comfort Of pardon. These are followed
by meekness. Now the soul longs for right
eousness, has appetite for the right and the
good. Ask and get. (St Mt, 7:7.l We never
seek God in vain. is, As: 49, Righteousness
Is food. Jesus is bread. (St. John, ): 3d. If
we want Righteousness we can have it, aud
have thrown in Gods blessing. People hunger
after what they vast, and so if one hunger for
righteousness he wants It. God will satisfy
our souls BY responding to all our religious
wants
blessed are the merciful" Spiritual want
supplied-sOrTow comforted, meekness pro-
duced, righteousness attEined-then follows
the practical prodrct, Inereifulness. The
meek endure, the meEciful help. God is full
OF mercy, (Ex., 81: g. Eze., 50: H. and the
man, pitiIul, tender, is so far like God. This
must not be a merely passive. subjective mercy.
but an active demonstration OF sympathy. The
poorest can show mercy By words. looks. tears.
But all genuine mercy prompts Us TO help ma
teriaily. Mercy centrally gains even among
men. God is always merciful to the merciful.
tPrOv., II PSI But mercy must never become
so haeeid as 10 compromise justice. Mercy ia
as rule the act OF the individual It cannot
enter into legal proceedings. And yet almost
all courts have margin for modification Of
penalties.
they who make point Of subjective piety as
OuDOgad IN the Dt,arieoCc NH